Propranolol and acetylsalicylic acid in migraine prophylaxis

Abstract

The aim of this double-blind crossover study was to compare the prophylactic effect of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) with that of propranolol (PRP) in the treatment of migraine. Plasma concentrations of the two drugs were measured in order to investigate a possible relationship to the clinical effect. Compared to the pretreatment period, PRP and ASA reduced migraine index, frequency, duration, severity of attacks and headache days. Due to the limited number of patients, our results should be cautiously interpreted, however relevant the clinical improvement seemed. Improvement of migraine index was not related to different plasma levels of the two drugs.

The effectiveness of aspirin for migraine prophylaxis: a systematic review

“…Only Baldrati et al 26 reported that there was an inverse association between severity and aspirin use. Benseñor et al 19 and Baldrati et al 26 reported on the duration of migraine episodes as an outcome. Baldrati et al 26 found an inverse association, while Benseñor et al 19 found a direct association that was not significant.…”

“…Benseñor et al, 19 Buring et al, 21 Peto et al, 17 O'Neil et al, 31 Baldrati et al 26 and Hosman-Benjaminse et al 27 reported on aspirin as a single active treatment for migraine. All these studies, except for that of Benseñor et al, 19 reported that there was an inverse association between aspirin use and migraine frequency.…”

“…17,21,24,25 In studies that found a reduction in migraine frequency, the dosage ranged from 1,300 mg 21 to 4,550 mg weekly. 31 Benseñor et al, 19 Baldrati et al 26 and O'Neil et al 31 analyzed the severity of migraine attacks. Only Baldrati et al 26 reported that there was an inverse association between severity and aspirin use.…”

“…31 Benseñor et al, 19 Baldrati et al 26 and O'Neil et al 31 analyzed the severity of migraine attacks. Only Baldrati et al 26 reported that there was an inverse association between severity and aspirin use. Benseñor et al 19 and Baldrati et al 26 reported on the duration of migraine episodes as an outcome.…”

“…26 Severity was reported using different subjective scales; 19,27 for instance, 0 = no pain, 100 = severe pain. Two studies that used such scales of measurement also reported the duration of migraine attacks.…”